The City of Milton made big news last week by announcing Jennifer M. Frank as its next Police Chief. She’ll take the helm in late April, becoming Northwest Florida’s first female police chief and only the 21st in the state.
But don’t call her a female chief to her face.
“I’m not the first female police chief—I’m just Chief. If you show up, do the work, and hold your own, gender doesn’t matter. Breaking the glass ceiling is one thing, but bringing others with you is what truly matters.”
EXPERIENCE: With 19 years in law enforcement spanning multiple agencies, she brings considerable experience to the job. Most recently, as Chief in Windsor, Vermont, Frank implemented community policing strategies that cut violent crime calls in half. That work earned her department the National Leadership in Community Policing Award last year. See Jennifer M. Frank Resume.
- Her career has included some impressive assignments, including presidential security details for George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden, plus protection work for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and various political figures.
NOT A STRAIGHTFORWARD PATH TO LAW ENFORCEMENT: Frank started as a teacher. A few years after the Columbine tragedy, she disarmed a student she had mentored when he entered the classroom with a 9mm gun.
“He pointed it at the classroom, and I just walked up to him, trying to put space between him and my students. I was able to take the gun away.”
The plot twist? The school resource officer who responded to her 911 call that day later became her husband, Sam.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
But ask what she’s most proud of, and it’s not the high-profile security work or even being the first female recruit to graduate from the academy with both the highest academic and physical fitness scores. It’s the Cadet Program she started in 2008.
- “We’ve had kids enter the program because they made poor choices,” she said. “They start with community service, but then they become the rockstars and leaders of the program. Some even become officers and, more importantly, great humans.”
Frank believes public safety starts with connection. She has introduced innovative community programs, such as a graffiti wall at a local skatepark to curb vandalism. She regularly engages with residents—whether attending concerts, playing basketball with local youth, or participating in local events to build strong relationships.
- “Some people need a diversion program, some need a ticket, and some need jail,” she said. “Our goal is always to be the least intrusive while ensuring safety. When we eliminate dangers—whether it’s a crime or something as simple as giving kids a safe place after school—we make a real difference.”
That philosophy extends to how she manages her officers. “I’m going to make sure my team has what they need and that they know I care about them,” Frank promised. “If someone needs to be home with their kiddos—I’ll cover that shift myself.”
She brings that same commitment to her officers, ensuring they have the resources they need and a leader who understands them as people.
